Light Up Chico is a key part of Chico Velo’s Bike Safety Program, in response to local cyclist fatalities in 2013 and on-going car and bicycle collision issues. Many people in Chico depend on their bikes for basic transportation. Particularly in the winter months, when the days are short, riding without a bike light increases the risk of a collision with a vehicle, another bicycle or even a pedestrian or object in or near the roadway.
Through the Light Up Chico program, Chico Velo is purchasing inexpensive and easy-to-use front and rear bike lights and distributing them to people who bike for transportation, need to bike at night, and can’t afford (or just haven’t prioritized) adequate bike lighting. We are distributing the lights through several channels including:
Via Chico Velo Bike Ambassadors – tabling at bike-related events and school events as well as in the course of their daily bike commute (contact us if you would like to become a ChicoVelo Bike Ambassador!)
Via the Chico Police – we are providing lights for police officers to distribute to non-illuminated riders they may encounter in the course of their night-time patrol, as an alternative to a ticket
If you need a light and cannot afford one, contact us at info@chicovelo.org.
We are excited about this program to get more lights onto more bikes, especially for winter riding. The bike lights for Light Up Chico are being purchased in volume through all our local bike shops. If you would like to support this program financially, contact us at info@chicovelo.org. Your sponsorship of Chico Velo will enable us to get more bike lights onto more bikes!
Let’s all work together to make Chico streets safer for cycling!